​The themes on this Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time invite us to reflect on caring for one another, living our calling to unity and bringing what we have to God. 

The underlying themes of 3Ps – piloting, peace and prayer – flow though the Scripture readings for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

​Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Patroness of the Carmelite Order. In 1251, the Holy Mother appeared to Saint Simon Stock and gave him the brown scapular, telling him to promote devotion to it. The scapular is a modified version of Mary’s own garment. It symbolizes her special protection and calls the wearers to consecrate themselves to her in a special way. The scapular reminds us of the gospel call to prayer and penance—a call that Mary models in a splendid way.

​Holy Mother Church teaches that every person who is baptized and confirmed receives directly from Christ a mandate to share in the Lord’s prophetic mission. The readings for this weekend remind us to be faithful to our calling, to recognize our giftedness and use it to engage in good works, and finally, to free ourselves of excess baggage in carrying out our mission.

​Today’s readings assure us that neither rejection nor personal limitation need inhibit the power of God working in our lives.